THE SOUND OF AMERICA, Inc. is a music program designed to enrich aspiring musicians through international performance and education. TO DEVELOP AND ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN AND APPRECIATION OF CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY CHORAL AND SYMPHONIC BAND MUSIC THROUGH THE FREE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE OF MUSICAL CONCERTS, GOODWILL FESTIVALS, TOURS, AND SIMILIAR PRODUCTIONS; SPONSORED AND ARRANGED BY THE CORPORATION IN BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD; TO BE STAGED AND PERFORMED BY PROMISING YOUNG STUDENT MUSICIANS SELECTED ANNUALLY FROM AMONG THOSE ENROLLED IN HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA. SUCH SELECTION IS MADE WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, CREED, SEX, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN, BUT FOCUSED ONLY UPON THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARDS OF MUSICAL TALENT, PERFORMANCE SKILLS, PERSONAL CONDUCT AND SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT.